NWALI SYLVESTER NGWUTA, J.S.C.: (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal arose from the dispute as to who, the 2nd Appellant or the 1st Respondent, was the duly nominated and sponsored candidate of the 1st Appellant, the Congress for Progressive Change and elected in the April, 2011 general election to represent the Akwanga/Wamba/Nasarawa-Eggon Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
In the Amended Originating Summons filed on 10/5/2011 in the Lafia Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, the Plaintiffs/Appellants raised the following questions for determination:
"1. Having regard to the clear and unambiguous provision of Section 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as well as the provision of Article 25 of the 1st Plaintiff's Constitution, particularly judicial pronouncement on the supremacy of a political party's decision in respect of nomination of candidates; whether the Court or any other authority at all can compel a party to nom…